Demolition of cracked hotels in Himalayan town set to resume

The demolition of buildings deemed unsafe in a northern Himalayan region is set to resume following a revised compensation deal for residents, a senior district official said on Wednesday.
More than a hundred Indian protesters had halted the demolition of two hotels in the town of Joshimath, a town of around 17,000 people near the border with China, saying they were not being paid enough compensation.
Top district official Himanshu Khurana told Reuters on Wednesday the local administration has approved an interim compensation package.
More demolition could follow as over 700 buildings have developed cracks in the state of Uttarakhand. Some are leaning precariously, spurring calls from residents and environmental campaigners for a halt to construction in the ecologically sensitive area.
The town of Joshimath is also a gateway to Hindu and Sikh shrines.